Bill Norton

April 23, 2018

What’s your current position at your brewery, and how did you get started in the craft brewing industry?

I’m the project and engineering manager for Bell’s Brewery in Galesburg, Mich. I worked in the food industry for years. When this opportunity arose, it was a great chance to get back to my family’s roots of brewing beer from 1866 until just after Prohibition. The family came over from Dublin, Ireland, settling in Anderson, Ind., my hometown.

What’s new at Bell’s?

We are installing 12 additional 800 bbl fermenters, two new pilot breweries, a new yeast propagation system, and a specialty bottling line. Things are good at Bell’s.

What’s the best part of being a part of the craft brewing community?

The pride of working for a well-respected owner, a knowledgeable manager, and the best beer in the business.

Name a favorite food and beer pairing.

A good old fashioned burger and Two Hearted Ale.

What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?

Being a good husband and father to a lovely wife and two great young adults.

What’s your favorite beer that your brewery does not produce?

Guinness.

What’s the most memorable travel destination at which you’ve had a chance to sample the local beer?

Jackson Hole, Wyo. Snake River Brewing was one of the first microbreweries that my family and I visited during our trip to Yellowstone. They had great food and a killer IPA. My wife even let me go back the next day.

What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?

Collect antique advertising, mostly breweriana. I’m a member of both BCCA and NABA. I especially look for items from my great-grandfather’s brewery (T.M. Norton) in Anderson, Ind.

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